Eucalyptus nitens for solid timber - silk purse or sow’s ear?

Authors: Dean Satchell
Publication: New Zealand Journal of Forestry, Volume N.Z.J.For. 2015, Issue N.Z.J.For. 60(4) 2016, pp 33-36, Jan 2016
Publisher: New Zealand Institute of Forestry

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Abstract: Eucalyptus nitens is a cold hardy hardwood timber species with very fast growth and excellent form. In Canterbury, along with other cooler regions in New Zealand, E. nitens produces high volumes of sawlogsized material in relatively short rotations. Some farm foresters have even pruned their trees in anticipation of sawn timber production. This case study assessed the profitability of growing E. nitens for sawn timber production from 15-year-old trees that were planted, pruned and thinned by farm forester Patrick Milne near Rangiora, Canterbury. The small stand contained 55 trees from which a sample of eight trees (32 logs) were harvested and milled to examine costs and revenues. Physical properties were also assessed from these young fast-grown trees and compared with imported Victorian ash.

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